Methods and apparatuses for digital pre-distortion

ABSTRACT

A method is provided. The method, comprises: power amplifying, with at least two parallel power amplifiers, at least two pre-distorted signals each corresponding to a unique transmit band, wherein each power amplifier operates in a unique transmit band; and pre-distorting, with a single pre-distortion system, at least two signals in different transmit bands, where the pre-distortion of each of the at least two signals is based upon a portion of a corresponding power amplified, pre-distorted signal, and where the pre-distortion diminishes certain IMD products in the corresponding power amplified, pre-distorted signal.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims benefit of U.S. Patent Application Ser.No. 62/543,453, filed Aug. 10, 2017; the entire content of theaforementioned patent application is incorporated herein by reference asif set forth in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

A repeater system (such as a distributed antenna system (DAS) or asingle-node repeater) is typically used to improve the wireless radiofrequency (RF) coverage provided by one or more base stations. Thewireless service provided by each base station can include commercialcellular service or private or public safety wireless service. Therepeater system can be implemented as an “active” system in the sensethat the downlink and uplink RF signals are amplified before beingrepeated.

Active repeater systems can be used, for example, in sport stadiums,buildings (hotels, malls, or trade centers), metro stations andairports, trains, and tunnels. Each base station can be coupled to therepeater system via one or more cables or via a wireless connection, forexample, using one or more donor antennas. Repeater systems can be usedin other applications.

The capacity of each base station coupled to a repeater system can bededicated to the repeater system. The capacity of each base stationcoupled to a repeater system can also be shared among the repeatersystem and a base station antenna system that is co-located with thebase station and/or shared among the repeater system and one or moreother repeater systems.

Active repeater systems typically suffer from intermodulationdistortion. For example, to obtain higher power added efficiency, poweramplifiers in such systems are operated at saturation, that is, in anon-linear region. As a result, two or more radio carriers, e.g., in adownlink band, may be amplitude modulated and create an undesiredintermodulation distortion (IMD) product. IMD products can createadjacent channel interference. If IMD product(s) fall within a receiveband, sensitivity and dynamic range of the receiver in the base stationcan be reduced.

If the receiver in the base station is able to receive signals withincreased sensitivity, it can receive weaker signals, which can be usedto increase the reception range and overall coverage area of the basestation and the associated repeater system. This can result in costsavings as fewer base stations and repeater systems (or componentsthereof such as DAS remote units) may be required to provide the desiredwireless coverage and capacity.

Digital pre-distortion (DPD) is used to diminish IMD products at theoutput of a power amplifier. An exemplary technique for digitalpre-distortion is illustrated in US patent publication US20120200355 A1(the '355 Publication), which is incorporated herein in its entirety.The '355 Publication discloses the use of a coupler to feedback aportion of an output signal from a power amplifier. The output of thecoupler is provided to a RF to digital converter which down converts anddigitizes the feedback signal to a coefficient estimator. Thecoefficient estimator supplies coefficients to a digital pre-distortionmodule that generates tones of appropriate phase and amplitude todiminish IMD products, such as third order IMD products, at the outputof the power amplifier.

Digital pre-distortion circuitry adds cost to the systems in which it isused. For broadband DASs and single-node repeaters, two or more poweramplifiers may be needed to cover different RF transmit bands.Typically, each power amplifier is preceded by its own DPD circuitry.This undesirably increases system cost.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A method is provided. The method, comprises: power amplifying, with atleast two parallel power amplifiers, at least two pre-distorted signalseach corresponding to a unique transmit band, wherein each poweramplifier operates in a unique transmit band; and pre-distorting, with asingle pre-distortion system, at least two signals in different transmitbands, where the pre-distortion of each of the at least two signals isbased upon a portion of a corresponding power amplified, pre-distortedsignal, and where the pre-distortion diminishes certain IMD products inthe corresponding power amplified, pre-distorted signal.

DRAWINGS

Understanding that the drawings depict only exemplary embodiments andare not therefore to be considered limiting in scope, the exemplaryembodiments will be described with additional specificity and detailthrough the use of the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of one embodiment of a multi-bandfront end system;

FIG. 2A illustrates one embodiment of a DPD correction bandwidth;

FIG. 2B illustrates another embodiment of a DPD correction bandwidth;

FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram of another embodiment of a multi-bandfront end system;

FIG. 4 illustrates a block diagram of a further embodiment of amulti-band front end system;

FIG. 5 illustrates one embodiment of a method of operation of amulti-band front end system;

FIG. 6A illustrated one embodiment of a distributed antenna system inwhich digital pre-distortion techniques can be implemented;

FIG. 6B illustrates one embodiment of a remote antenna unit in whichdigital pre-distortion techniques can be implemented; and

FIG. 7 illustrates one embodiment of a single-node repeater in whichdigital pre-distortion techniques can be implemented.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments described below provide techniques for reducing the cost offrequency division duplexing and/or time division duplexing repeatersystems using digital pre-distortion circuitry. Such repeater systemsare used in cellular networks (such as LTE networks), DASs and off-airrepeaters. As will be subsequently further described, the techniquesinclude those that disclose how to reduce the number of digitalpre-distortion circuitry and data converters in such repeater systems,and how to facilitate the use of lower cost multiplexers that combineand separate signals of uplink and downlink bands, e.g. when employingfrequency division duplexing. These techniques desirably reduce systemcost. Although subsequently illustrated for use in repeater systems,embodiments of the invention may be applicable to other types ofcommunications systems.

For pedagogical reasons, multiplexers may be hereafter referred to asduplexers which filter/combine two bands. However, the embodimentsexemplified with duplexers are applicable to multiplexers which canfilter/combine two or more bands.

FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of one embodiment of a multi-bandfront end system 100. The illustrated multi-band front end system 100has the benefit of reducing the number of digital pre-distortioncircuitry used per power amplifier. Each power amplifier operates in adifferent transmit band. For frequency domain duplexing operation, thistransmit band is a downlink band. For time domain duplexing, thefrequency range for a transmit band is also the frequency range of acorresponding receive band.

For pedagogical reasons, FIG. 1 illustrates a multi-band front endsystem 100 configured to transmit and receive on different, e.g. two,transmit bands. The illustrated multi-band front system 100 includes atransmitter front end 104 including a first power amplifier 104D and asecond power amplifier 104E, and a first receiver front end 106A and asecond receiver front end 106B.

Additional circuitry can be added to facilitate operation on additionaltransmit and receive band(s). For example, two or more transmitter frontend systems can be used; as a result, additional, e.g. three or more,receiver front end systems may also be required.

Alternatively, a transmitter front end system 104 may include three ormore power amplifiers. Thus, for example, for three power amplifiers inthe transmitter front end system 104, the illustrated fourth duplexer104C would be replaced by a triplexer. A third power amplifier would becoupled to the output of the triplexer. Further, an additional couplerand analog to digital converter (ADC) would be added between the outputof an additional third power amplifier and a DPD system 104A. The thirdpower amplifier, and the additional coupler and ADC would be added in amanner analogous as shown in FIG. 1.

The illustrated multi-band front end system 100 includes a transmitterfront end system 104, a first receiver front end system 106A, a secondreceiver front end system 106B, a first duplexer 108A, a second duplexer108B, a third duplexer 108C, and an antenna 110. An input of thetransmitter front end system 104 is configured to receive digitalbaseband data or pulse code modulated (i.e. digitized) radio frequency(RF) signals, e.g. from one or more base stations. Outputs of the firstreceiver front end system 106A and the second receiver front end system106B are respectively configured to provide, e.g. digital baseband dataor digitized modulated RF signals.

In the illustrated embodiment, the transmitter front end system 104 isconfigured to receive signals corresponding to the two transmit bands.In another embodiment, the transmitter bands of the transmitter frontend system 104 are widely separated so that the low orderintermodulation distortion (IMD) products and harmonics from onetransmitter band do not fall within another transmitter band. In afurther embodiment, each of the first receiver front end system 106A andthe second receiver front end system 106B are configured to operate in,and provide digitized RF signals, in separate receive bands. Forfrequency division duplexing, the frequency range of the receive band,the uplink band, is different from the frequency range of the transmitband, the downlink band. For time division duplexing, frequency range ofthe receive band is the same as the frequency range of the transmitband. In yet another embodiment, the transmit and receive bands are LTEtransmit and receive bands.

The transmitter front end system 104 and the two receiver front endsystems are respectively configured to (a) receive digital baseband dataor digitized RF signals, and (b) provide digital baseband data ordigitized RF signals. If digital baseband data is provided to andreceived by respectively the transmitter front end system 104, the firstreceiver front end system 106A, and the second receiver front end system106B, then the transmitter front end system 104, the first receiverfront end system 106A, and the second receiver front end system 106Bmust be configured to up convert and down convert transmit and receivesignals as will be subsequently described.

In the illustrated embodiment, two outputs, respectively correspondingto a first transmit band and a second transmit band, of the transmitterfront end system 104 are coupled to first and second ports of a firstduplexer 108A. An input of the first receiver front end system 106A andan input of the second receiver front end system 106B are respectivelycoupled to first and second ports of a second duplexer 108B. First andsecond ports of a third duplexer 108C are coupled to third ports of thefirst duplexer 108A and the second duplexer 108B. An antenna 110 iscoupled to the third port of the third duplexer 108C.

In one embodiment, the first duplexer 108A, the second duplexer 108B,and/or third duplexer 108C are cavity duplexers. In alternativeembodiments, the first duplexer 108A, the second duplexer 108B, and/orthird duplexer 108C are ceramic duplexers or thin-film bulk acousticresonators (FBARs).

Implementations, other than those illustrated in FIG. 1, may be used tocouple one or more antennas to the output of the transmitter front endsystem 104, and the inputs of the first receiver front end system 106Aand the second receiver front end system 106B. For example, the thirdduplexer 108 c and a fifth duplexer could each couple respectively (a) afirst port of a first coupler C₁ and the input of first receiver frontend system 106A to a first antenna, and (b) a first port of a secondcoupler C₂ and the input of second receiver front end system 106B to asecond antenna.

One embodiment of the transmitter front end system 104 will now bedescribed. The illustrated transmitter front end system 104 comprisesthe DPD system 104A, a digital to analog converter (DAC) 104B, a fourthduplexer 104C, a first power amplifier (PA) 104D, a second poweramplifier 104E, the first coupler C₁, the second coupler C₂, a firstanalog to digital converter (ADC) 104F, and a second ADC 104G. The inputof the DPD system 104A is configured to receive digital baseband data ordigitized RF signals. In the illustrated embodiment, the first ports ofthe first coupler C₁ and the second coupler C₂ are respectively coupledto the first and second ports of the first duplexer 108A. In anotherembodiment, each power amplifier is a monolithic microwave integratedcircuit.

The DPD system 104A modifies signals (which it receives and whichcorrespond to the two transmit bands) to diminish IMD products,typically up to a finite order (e.g. all third and fifth order IMDproducts). In one embodiment, the diminished IMD products fall withinuplink or receive bands of the multi-band front end system 100,therefore only negligibly decreasing the sensitivity of the multi-bandfront end system 100 in those uplink bands. By negligibly decreasing thesensitivity, the reception range of the repeater system (incorporatingthe multi-band front end system 100) is only negligibly diminished. Inanother embodiment, the DPD system 104A generates signals that diminish,e.g. cancel, such IMD products.

In one embodiment, the transmitter front end system 104 is configured toreceive digital baseband data. In such a case, for example, the DPDsystem 104A would modify the digital baseband data to diminish the IMDproducts in each digitized RF signal at the output of each poweramplifier. For example, for this case, the DPD system 104A could beimplemented with the DPD module and coefficient estimator described inthe '355 Publication. Further, the DAC 104B would include an upconverter, e.g. digital up converter proceeding the digital to analogconversion; the first ADC 104F and the second ADC 104G could eachinclude a down converter, e.g. a digital down converter following theanalog to digital conversion. The DPD system 104A embodies one or moredigital pre-distortion circuits to pre-distort signals corresponding toat least two distinct bands; however, the DPD system 104A is implementedin a single device, e.g. such as the devices illustrated below.

In an alternative embodiment, the transmitter front end system 104 isconfigured to receive a digitized RF signal modulated with data. The DPDsystem 104A would be similarly implemented but would modify thedigitized RF signal, e.g. adding RF tones of appropriate amplitude andphase, to suppress the IMD products. The DAC and ADCs would not requirerespectively an up converter and a down converter. To facilitate dataprocessing, the data rate and bit rate are respectively reduced toreduce bandwidth (when analog to digital conversion is performed. Forpedagogical reasons, FIG. 1 will be subsequently described assuming RFsignals are provided to the DPD system 104A.

In one embodiment, the DPD system 104A is implemented in any statemachine such as a field programmable gate array, a processor such as adigital signal processor (DSP), or an application specific integratedcircuit (ASIC). The state machine may be coupled to memory, such asprogrammable read only memory and/or flash memory. In a furtherembodiment, the DPD system 104A can be implemented in a processingsystem of another component of the repeater system.

The DPD system 104A is coupled to an input of the DAC 104B. The DAC 104Bconverts the pre-distorted digitized RF signal, generated from the DPDsystem 104A, to an analog signal. A first port of the fourth duplexer104C is coupled to the output of the DAC 104B. The fourth duplexer 104Cfilters signals in the first transmit band so that they are provided ata second port of the fourth duplexer 104C, and signals in the secondtransmit band so that they are provided at a third port of the fourthduplexer 104C. In one embodiment, the fourth duplexer 104C isimplemented with a ceramic or FBAR duplexer; alternatively, the fourthduplexer 104C is implemented with a cavity duplexer.

The second and third ports of the fourth duplexer 104C are respectivelycoupled to inputs of the first power amplifier 104D and the second poweramplifier 104E. Typically, the first power amplifier 104D is designed toprovide high efficiency power amplification of signals in the firsttransmit band. The second power amplifier 104E is designed to providehigh efficiency power amplification of signals in the second transmitband. As previously discussed, the first power amplifier 104D and thesecond power amplifier 104E are operated near saturation. Further, thefirst power amplifier 104D and the second power amplifier 104E arecoupled in parallel with respect to one another in the illustratedmulti-band front end system 100; alternatively, the first poweramplifier 104D and the second power amplifier 104E are referred to as aparallel first power amplifier 104D and second power amplifier 104E.

Second ports of the first coupler C1 and the second coupler C2 arerespectively coupled to the outputs of the first power amplifier 104Dand the second power amplifier 104E. The third ports of the firstcoupler C1 and the second coupler C2 are respectively coupled to theinputs of the first ADC 104F and the second ADC 104G. The first ADC 104Fand the second ADC 104G generate digitized signals from the analogsignals coupled from the first coupler C1 and the second coupler C2.Each having a coupling factor sufficient to provide signals ofsufficient power level for the first ADC 104F and the second ADC 104G togenerate corresponding digitized signals. In one embodiment, the firstcoupler C1 and the second coupler C2 are directional couplers.

The outputs of the first ADC 104F and the second ADC 104G are coupled tothe DPD system 104A. The DPD system 104A is configured to receive thedigitized signals generated by the first ADC 104F and the second ADC104G and use them to modify the digital baseband data or digitized RFsignals so as to diminish IMD products at the output of the first poweramplifier 104D and the second power amplifier 104E. In one embodiment,the digitized signals generated by the first ADC 104F and the second ADC104G are used to generate frequency components having certain amplitudesand phases necessary to diminish the IMD products.

In the illustrated embodiment, the first receiver front end system 106Aand the second receiver front end system 106B respectively operate in afirst receive band and a second receive band. The first receiver frontend system 106A comprises a first low noise amplifier (LNA) 106A-1having an output coupled to an input of a third ADC 106A-2. The secondreceiver front end system 106B comprises a second low noise amplifier(LNA) 106B-1 having an output coupled to an input of a fourth ADC106B-2. In another embodiment, each low noise amplifier is a monolithicmicrowave integrated circuit.

Operation of the multi-band front end system 100 will now be summarized.The DPD system 104 is configured to receive digitized RF signals for twoseparate transmit bands. The DPD system 104 modifies, by pre-distortion,such RF signals, e.g. by adding tones of appropriate amplitude andphase, to diminish IMD products up to a certain order. IMD products aregenerated symmetrically around the center frequency of each transmitband. Because the power levels of higher order IMD products aretypically lower than the power levels of lower IMD products, it is onlypractically necessary to diminish IMD products up to a certain order,e.g. third, fifth or seventh order.

The pre-distorted RF signals of each transmit band are converted toanalog signals by the DAC 104B. The analog pre-distorted RF signals ofeach transmit band are filtered, and thus separated by the fourthduplexer 104C. The first power amplifier 104D is configured to receiveand power amplify analog pre-distorted RF signals in the first transmitband. The second power amplifier 104E is configure to receive and poweramplify analog pre-distorted RF signals in the second transmit band.Because of the pre-distortion, the power amplified RF signals, in thefirst and second transmit bands and provided at the outputs of each ofthe first power amplifier 104D and the second power amplifier 104E, havediminished IMD products up to the order that the DPD system 104A isdesigned to diminish.

The first coupler C1 and the second coupler C2 feedback a portion of thepower amplified RF signals in the first and second transmit bandsrespectively to the first ADC 104F and the second ADC 104G. The firstADC 104F and the second ADC 104G which digitize the feedback portions ofthe power amplified RF signals respectively in the first and secondtransmit bands. The DPD system 104A is configured to receive thedigitized feedback portions of the power amplified RF signalsrespectively in the first and second transmit bands so as to adjust theamplitude and phase of the added tones to enhance the suppression of IMDproducts.

The antenna 110 is configured to transmit and receive signals on bothsets of transmit and receive bands, e.g. a first band and a second band.For a frequency division duplexing, the first band includes the firstdownlink band and the first uplink band; the second band includes thesecond downlink band and the second uplink band. However, if one of thebands is configured to operate using time division duplexing, thetransmit band and the receive band are a single band, i.e. a transmitband and a receive band having the same frequency range, over whichsignals are transmitted and received.

For frequency division duplexing, the first duplexer 108A isolates thesignals amplified by the first power amplifier 104D and the second poweramplifier 104E. For frequency division duplexing, the second duplexer108B isolates, e.g. local oscillator signal leakage from, the firstreceiver front end system 106A and the second receiver front end 106B.The third duplexer 108 c isolates the first receiver front end system106A and the second receiver front end system 106B by filtering, ordiminishing the amplitude of, signals in the first and second transmitbands emitted by the transmitter front end system 104; this allowsavoidance of a reduction of sensitivity in the uplink bands of thereceiver of the multi-band front end system 100.

The RF signals modulated with data in the first uplink band are coupledfrom the antenna 110, the third duplexer 108 c, and the second duplexer108B to the first receiver front end system 106A. A first low noiseamplifier 106A-1 is configured to amplify with diminished, e.g.optimized, additive noise so as to diminish, e.g. optimize, the noisefigure in the first uplink band of the receiver of the multi-band frontend system 100. The third ADC 106A-2 digitizes the amplified RF signalsin the first receive band.

The RF signals modulated with data in the second uplink band are coupledfrom the antenna 110, the third duplexer 108 c, and the second duplexer108B to the second receiver front end system 106B. The second low noiseamplifier 106B-1 is configured to amplify with diminished, e.g.optimized, additive noise so as to diminish, e.g. optimize, the noisefigure in the first uplink band of the receiver of the multi-band frontend system 100. The fourth ADC 106B-2 digitizes the amplified RF signalsin the first receive band.

As discussed above, the third duplexer 108C diminishes emissions, in thefirst and the second receive bands, from the transmitter front endsystem 104 leaking into the first and second receiver front end systems106A, 106B. A relatively high isolation, e.g. 120 dB, can be requiredbetween the corresponding transmit and receive bands of a duplexer tosuppress IMD products (generated in the transmitter front end system 104and having frequencies in the first and/or second uplink bands) fromundesirably diminishing receiver sensitivity. Very high isolationduplexers are expensive, increasing system cost. Lower performance, andthus lower cost, duplexers can be used by modifying the operation of theDPD system 104A as described below.

Transmission and reception respectively over corresponding downlink anduplink bands is referred to as frequency division duplexing. Typically,for each downlink band, the DPD system 104A is designed to diminish IMDproducts across a bandwidth (or DPD correction bandwidth) that iscentered on the center frequency of the downlink band.

FIG. 2A illustrates one embodiment of a DPD correction bandwidth 210A.The illustrated downlink band is downlink band (DL Band) 66 212DL. TheDPD correction bandwidth 214 has a center frequency (f_(c)) 216 of 2155MHz that is equal to the center frequency of the downlink band 66 212DL.However, unlike illustrated DL Band 25 218DL and UL Band 25 218UL, DLBand 66 212DL and UL Band 66 212UL are not proximate. As a result, ULBand 66 212UL and part of the UL band 25 are outside of the DPDcorrection bandwidth 214.

This is undesirable, because higher order IMD products, generated in aDL Band 66 212DL in by the transmitter front end system 104 and possiblyhaving a detrimental level, fall within UL Band 66 212UL, and candiminish reception sensitivity of the multi-band front end system 100 inthat uplink band 66 and a respective part of the uplink band 25.Although the bandwidth of the DPD correction bandwidth 214 could beincreased to cover the corresponding uplink bands, this would requirethe DPD system to diminish more IMD products, and thus require greaterprocessing power which undesirably increases system complexity and cost.Alternatively, the third duplexer 108C could be implemented higherisolation between ports one and three (respectively coupled to thetransmitter front end system 104, and the first receiver front endsystem 106A or the second receiver front end system 106B) to diminishhigher order IMD products. However, as discussed above, this alternativealso undesirably increases system cost.

To avoid both costly alternatives, the center frequency of the DPDcorrection bandwidth 214 can be adjusted. FIG. 2B illustrates anotherembodiment of a DPD correction bandwidth 210B. In the embodiment,illustrated in FIG. 2B, the DPD correction bandwidth 210B has beenadjusted to encompass both DL Band 66 212DL and the complete ULfrequency range, i.e. UL Band 66 212UL and the complete UL band 25,without increasing the DPD correction bandwidth 210B. In the illustratedembodiment, this was accomplished by adjusting the center frequency(f_(c)) 216 of the DPD correction bandwidth 210B so that it is centeredabout the downlink band (DL Band 66 212DL) and the uplink band (UL Band66 212UL), e.g. at 1955 MHz. This technique may also be referred to asskewing the center frequency of the DPD correction bandwidth 210B.However, for the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2B, the center frequency216 need not be centered about the corresponding downlink and uplinkbands so long as both bands fall within the DPD correction bandwidth.Although the downlink band is shown as being higher in frequency thanthe uplink band, the aforementioned technique also applies when thedownlink band is lower in frequency than the uplink band. Thus, thecenter frequency of the DPD correction bandwidth 210B can be skewedhigher or lower in frequency depending upon the relative position of thecorresponding uplink band and the downlink band.

Skewing of the DPD correction bandwidth 210B can be achieved by reducingthe number of (including possibly eliminating) IMD products that arecorrected above or below the downlink band, and increasing the number ofIMD products that are corrected respectively below or above the downlinkband. By adjusting the center frequency of the fixed DPD correctionbandwidth 210B, the DPD system 104A diminishes IMD products in theuplink bands of the multiband front end system 100. This skewingtechnique may be utilized with any of the multiband front end systems100, 300, 400 illustrated in FIGS. 1, 3 and 4.

FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram of another embodiment of a multi-bandfront end system 300. The multi-band front end system 300 includes feweranalog to digital converters than the multi-band front end system 100illustrated in FIG. 1.

The implementation and operation of the multi-band front end system 300illustrated in FIG. 3 is otherwise substantially the same as describedfor the multi-band front end system 100 illustrated in FIG. 1.Differences between the two systems are described below. The elements inFIG. 3 that are the same as the elements in FIG. 1 have the same figurenumbers except that those numbers are preceded by a ‘3’ rather than a‘1’.

The transmitter front end system 304 in FIG. 3 differs from thetransmitter front end system 104 in FIG. 1 in that it has one less ADC.The third ports of the first coupler C1 and the second coupler C2 arerespectively coupled to a first port and a second port of a switch 304H.The common port of the switch 304H is coupled to the input of the firstADC 304F. In one embodiment, the switch 304H is a single pole doublethrow RF switch. One or more control ports of the switch 304H arecoupled to the DPD system 304A (as illustrated) and/or another componentof the repeater system. The control port(s) are configured to select aninput port of the switch 304H.

The DPD system 304A and/or another component include control logic whichcauses the switch 304H to periodically alternate providing first andsecond downlink band signals from respectively the second ports of thefirst coupler C1 and the second coupler C2 to the common port of theswitch 304H, and thus to the input of the first ADC 304F. As a result,the first ADC 304F alternatively digitizes portions of the first andsecond downlink band signals. In one embodiment, DPD system 304A mayinclude a switch or other processing circuitry to ensure the digitizeddownlink band signals are provided to corresponding pre-distortioncircuitry affecting the downlink band whose signals are being digitizedand provided to the DPD system 304A. Thus, the control logic and switch304H replace the more expensive second ADC 104G used in the multi-bandfront end system 100 of FIG. 1.

As previously discussed, the transmitter front end system 304 may bedesigned to process more than two downlink bands. In one embodiment, theswitch 304H is a single pole N throw RF switch, where N is the number ofswitch inputs coupled to the third ports of N couplers.

In one embodiment, a single band, i.e. the same frequency range, may beused for both the downlink and uplink band, and employ time divisionduplexing (TDD). TDD repeater systems alternatively transmit and receivein the single band. FIG. 4 illustrates a block diagram of a furtherembodiment of a multi-band front end system 400. The illustratedmulti-band front end system 400 utilizes TDD on one band.

A single TDD band is processed by the first power amplifier 404D and thefirst receiver front end system 406A. Thus, the first receiver front endsystem 406A includes the third low noise amplifier 406A-1 (but no thirdADC), which has an output coupled to a, e.g. third, port of the switch404H. The aforementioned control logic causes the switch 404H to selectthe port of the switch 404H coupled to the output of the first receiverfront end system 406A when, e.g. the repeater system, is receiving overthe single TDD band. Thus, the received TDD signals, provided at theoutput of the first receiver front end system 406A, are coupled to anddigitized by the first ADC 404F. The output of the first ADC 404F iscoupled to an input of the DPD system 404A.

In one embodiment, a multiplexer (MUX) 4041 selectively couples theoutput of the first ADC 404F between an input of the DPD system 404A andan input of another system, e.g. a downconverter. In one embodiment, themultiplexer 4041 is a switch such as a single pole double throw switch.When the repeater system is receiving in the single TDD band, thecontrol logic commands that the multiplexer 4041 couple the output ofthe first ADC 404F to the input of the other system. Otherwise, thecontrol logic commands the multiplexer 4041 to couple the output of thefirst ADC 404F to an input of the DPD system 404A configured to receivea portion of the power amplified RF signals in the first and secondtransmit bands. When transmitter front end 404 transmits over the singleTDD band, the control logic causes the switch 404H to periodicallyalternate providing portions of the power amplified RF signals in thefirst and second transmit bands (from respectively the third ports ofthe first coupler C1 and the second coupler C2) to the common port ofthe switch 404H. The alternating portions are then provided to the inputof the first ADC 404F. As a result, the first ADC 404F alternativelydigitizes portions of the power amplified RF signals in the first andsecond transmit bands.

The multi-band front end system 400 also otherwise differs from themulti-band front end systems 100, 300 of FIGS. 1 and 3. The secondduplexer 108B, 308B of FIGS. 1 and 3 is replaced by a combiner system408B. In one embodiment, the combiner system 408B comprises a circulator408B-1 and a bandpass filter 408B-2. The bandpass filter 408B-2 isdesigned to only substantially pass signals in the TDD band, and tosubstantially suppress signals outside of the TDD band.

Further, the first ports of the first coupler C1 and the second couplerC2 are respectively coupled to a first port of a first duplexer 408A andthe first port of the combiner system 408B. The inputs of the firstreceiver front end 406A and the second receiver front end 406B arerespectively coupled to the second port of the combiner system 408B andthe the second port of the first duplexer 408A. Thus, the combinersystem 408B couples the output of the second power amplifier 404E andthe input to the first receiver front end 406A; both the second poweramplifier 404E and the first receiver front end 406A operate in the TDDband. The third port of the combiner system 408B is coupled to thesecond duplexer 408C. The duplexer in the transmitter front end 404 istermed the third duplexer 404C.

The implementation and operation of the multi-band front end system 400illustrated in FIG. 4 is otherwise substantially the same as describedfor the multi-band front end system 300 illustrated in FIG. 3.Differences between the two systems are described above. The elements inFIG. 4 that are the same as the elements in FIG. 3 have the same figurenumbers except that those numbers are preceded by a ‘4’ rather than a‘3’.

FIG. 5 illustrates one embodiment of a method of operation of amulti-band front end system 520. To the extent that the embodiment ofmethod 520 shown in FIG. 5 is described herein as being implemented inthe systems described with respect to FIGS. 1, 3 and 4, it is to beunderstood that other embodiments can be implemented in other ways. Theblocks of the flow diagrams have been arranged in a generally sequentialmanner for ease of explanation; however, it is to be understood thatthis arrangement is merely exemplary, and it should be recognized thatthe processing associated with the methods (and the blocks shown in theFigures) can occur in a different order (for example, where at leastsome of the processing associated with the blocks is performed inparallel and/or in an event-driven manner).

In block 522, power amplify, with at least two parallel poweramplifiers, at least two pre-distorted signals each corresponding to aunique transmit band, wherein each power amplifier operates in a uniquetransmit band. In one embodiment, the power amplified, pre-distortedsignals are broadcast.

In block 524, pre-distort, with a single pre-distortion system, at leasttwo signals in different frequency bands, where the pre-distortion ofeach of the at least two signals is based upon a portion of acorresponding of power amplified, pre-distorted signal, and where thepre-distortion diminishes certain IMD products in the correspondingpower amplified, pre-distorted signal. The signals to be pre-distortedmay be digital baseband or digitized RF signals. If the signals aredigital baseband data, then, in one embodiment, also up convert thepre-distorted signals prior to power amplification, and down convert theportions of the power amplified, pre-distorted signals prior toutilizing them for pre-distortion. If the signals are digitized RFsignals rather than digital baseband signals, then, in anotherembodiment, convert the digitized RF signals to analog signals prior topower amplification, and digitize the portions of each of the poweramplified, pre-distorted signals prior to utilizing them forpre-distortion. In a further embodiment, selectively digitize, with asingle ADC, the portions of each of the power amplified, pre-distortedsignals prior to utilizing them for pre-distortion. In yet anotherembodiment, selectively digitize, with the single analog to digitalconverter, a received signal during a time period for reception.

In one embodiment, in block 526, skew a center frequency of a bandwidthin which pre-distortion is performed and which corresponds to onetransmit band so that the pre-distortion bandwidth covers correspondinguplink and downlink (i.e. transmit) bands. In another embodiment, skewthe center frequency so that the center frequency is equidistant fromthe center frequencies corresponding to the downlink band, and itscorresponding uplink band.

The DPD techniques and features described above can be implemented invarious types of systems. For example, the DPD techniques and featuresdescribed above can be implemented in various types of repeater systems.Repeater systems can be implemented in various ways.

For example, a repeater system can be implemented as a distributedantenna system (DAS). FIG. 6A illustrates one embodiment of adistributed antenna system 600 in which the DPD techniques describedabove can be implemented.

The DAS 600 comprises one or more master units 602 that arecommunicatively coupled to one or more remote antenna units (RAUs) 604via one or more waveguides 606, e.g. optical fibers or cables. Eachremote antenna unit 604 can be communicatively coupled directly to oneor more of the master units 602 or indirectly via one or more otherremote antenna units 604 and/or via one or more expansion (or otherintermediary) unit 608.

The DAS 600 is coupled to one or more base stations 603 and isconfigured to improve the wireless coverage provided by the basestations 603.

The capacity of each base station can be dedicated to the DAS or can beshared among the DAS and a base station antenna system that isco-located with the base station and/or one or more other repeatersystems.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6A, the capacity of one or more basestations 603 are dedicated to the DAS 600 and are co-located with theDAS 600. The base stations 603 are coupled to the DAS 600. It is to beunderstood however that other embodiments can be implemented in otherways. For example, the capacity of one or more base stations 603 can beshared with the DAS 600 and a base station antenna system co-locatedwith the base stations 603 (for example, using a donor antenna).

The base stations 603 can include one or more base stations that areused to provide commercial cellular wireless service and/or one or morebase stations that are used to provide public and/or private safetywireless services (for example, wireless communications used byemergency services organizations (such as police, fire and emergencymedical services) to prevent or respond to incidents that harm orendanger persons or property).

The base stations 603 can be coupled to the master units 602 using anetwork of attenuators, combiners, splitters, amplifiers, filters,cross-connects, etc., (sometimes referred to collectively as a“point-of-interface” or “POI”). This network can be included in themaster units 602 and/or can be separate from the master units 602. Thisis done so that, in the downlink, the desired set of RF channels outputby the base stations 603 can be extracted, combined, and routed to theappropriate master units 602, and so that, in the upstream, the desiredset of carriers output by the master units 602 can be extracted,combined, and routed to the appropriate interface of each base station603. It is to be understood, however, that this is one example and thatother embodiments can be implemented in other ways.

In general, each master unit 602 comprises downlink DAS circuitry 610that is configured to receive one or more downlink signals from one ormore base stations 603. Each base station downlink signal includes oneor more radio frequency channels used for communicating in the downlinkdirection with user equipment 614 over the relevant wireless airinterface. Typically, each base station downlink signal is received asan analog radio frequency signal, though in some embodiments one or moreof the base station signals are received in a digital form (for example,in a digital baseband form complying with the Common Public RadioInterface (“CPRI”) protocol, Open Radio Equipment Interface (“ORI”)protocol, the Open Base Station Standard Initiative (“OBSAI”) protocol,or other protocol).

The downlink DAS circuitry 610 in each master unit 602 is alsoconfigured to generate one or more downlink transport signals derivedfrom one or more base station downlink signals and to transmit one ormore downlink transport signals to one or more of the remote antennaunits 604.

FIG. 6B illustrates one embodiment of a remote antenna unit in whichdigital pre-distortion techniques described above can be implemented.Each remote antenna unit 604 comprises downlink DAS circuitry 612 thatis configured to receive the downlink transport signals transmitted toit from one or more master units 602 and to use the received downlinktransport signals to generate one or more downlink radio frequencysignals that are radiated from one or more antennas 615 associated withthat remote antenna unit 604 for reception by user equipment 614. Inthis way, the DAS 600 increases the coverage area for the downlinkcapacity provided by the base stations 603. The downlink DAS circuitry612 of each RAU 604 includes at least one transmitter front end (TX FE)619 which, for example, power amplifies the downlink radio frequencysignals.

Also, each remote antenna unit 604 comprises uplink DAS circuitry 617that is configured to receive one or more uplink radio frequency signalstransmitted from the user equipment 614. These signals are analog radiofrequency signals.

The uplink DAS circuitry 617 in each remote antenna unit 604 is alsoconfigured to generate one or more uplink transport signals derived fromthe one or more remote uplink radio frequency signals and to transmitone or more uplink transport signals to one or more of the master units602. The uplink DAS circuitry 617 of each RAU 604 includes at least onereceiver front end (RX FE) 622 which, e.g. amplifies received remoteuplink radio frequency signals.

Returning to FIG. 6A, each master unit 602 comprises uplink DAScircuitry 616 that is configured to receive the respective uplinktransport signals transmitted to it from one or more remote antennaunits 604 and to use the received uplink transport signals to generateone or more base station uplink radio frequency signals that areprovided to the one or more base stations 603 associated with thatmaster unit 602. Typically, this involves, among other things, combiningor summing uplink signals received from multiple remote antenna units604 in order to produce the base station signal provided to each basestation 603. In this way, the DAS 600 increases the coverage area forthe uplink capacity provided by the base stations 603.

Each expansion unit 608 comprises downlink DAS circuitry (D/L DAScircuitry) 618 that is configured to receive the downlink transportsignals transmitted to it from the master unit 602 (or other expansionunit 608) and transmits the downlink transport signals to one or moreremote antenna units 604 or other downstream expansion units 608. Eachexpansion unit 608 also comprises uplink DAS circuitry 620 that isconfigured to receive the respective uplink transport signalstransmitted to it from one or more remote antenna units 604 or otherdownstream expansion units 608, combine or sum the received uplinktransport signals, and transmit the combined uplink transport signalsupstream to the master unit 602 or other expansion unit 608. In otherembodiments, one or more remote antenna units 604 are coupled to one ormore master units 602 via one or more other remote antenna units 604(for example, where the remote antenna units 604 are coupled together ina daisy chain or ring topology).

The downlink DAS circuitry (D/L DAS circuitry) 610, 612, and 618 anduplink DAS circuitry (U/L DAS circuitry) 616, 617, and 620 in eachmaster unit 602, remote antenna unit 604, and expansion unit 608,respectively, can comprise one or more appropriate connectors,attenuators, combiners, splitters, amplifiers, filters, duplexers,analog-to-digital converters, digital-to-analog converters,electrical-to-optical converters, optical-to-electrical converters,mixers, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), microprocessors,transceivers, framers, etc., to implement the features described above.Also, the downlink DAS circuitry 610, 612, and 618 and uplink DAScircuitry 616, 617, and 620 may share common circuitry and/orcomponents.

The DAS 600 can use either digital transport, analog transport, orcombinations of digital and analog transport for generating andcommunicating the transport signals between the master units 602, theremote antenna units 604, and any expansion units 608. Each master unit602, remote antenna unit 604, and expansion unit 608 in the DAS 600 alsocomprises a respective controller (CNTRL) 621. The controller 621 isimplemented using one or more programmable processors that executesoftware that is configured to implement the various control functions.The controller 621 (more specifically, the various control functionsimplemented by the controller 621) (or portions thereof) can beimplemented in other ways (for example, in a field programmable gatearray (FPGA), application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), etc.). TheDPD system 404A and/or control logic described above may be incorporatedin, e.g. the controller 621 of a remote antenna unit 604 or in anothercontroller 621 or state machine incorporated into the distributedantenna system 600.

The at least one transmitter front end 619 includes at least one of thetransmitter front ends 104, 304, 404 described above. The at least onereceiver front end 622 includes at least one, e.g. two, of thecorresponding receiver front ends 106A, 106B, 306A, 306B, 406A, 406Bdescribed above. Further, as discussed above, a combination of two ormore duplexers and/or one or more duplexers and one or more combinersystems can be used to couple the at least one transmitter front end 619and the at least one receiver front end 622 to one or more antennas 615.The DPD system 104A, 304A, 404A and/or control logic may beincorporated, e.g. in the controller 621 of a remote antenna unit 604 orin another controller 621 otherwise incorporated into the distributedantenna system 600.

Repeater systems can be implemented in other ways. For example, arepeater system can be implemented as a single-node repeater. FIG. 7illustrates one embodiment of a single-node repeater 700 in which theDPD techniques described above can be implemented.

The single-node repeater 700 comprises downlink repeater circuitry 712that is configured to receive one or more downlink signals from one ormore base stations 703. These signals are also referred to here as “basestation downlink signals.” Each base station downlink signal includesone or more radio frequency channels used for communicating in thedownlink direction with user equipment (UE) 714 over the relevantwireless air interface. Typically, each base station downlink signal isreceived as an analog radio frequency signal.

The downlink repeater circuitry 712 in the single-node repeater 700 isalso configured to generate one or more downlink radio frequency signalsthat are radiated from one or more antennas 715 associated with thesingle-node repeater 700 for reception by user equipment 714. Thesedownlink radio frequency signals are analog radio frequency signals andare also referred to here as “repeated downlink radio frequencysignals.” Each repeated downlink radio frequency signal includes one ormore of the downlink radio frequency channels used for communicatingwith user equipment 714 over the wireless air interface. In thisexemplary embodiment, the single-node repeater 700 is an active repeatersystem in which the downlink repeater circuitry 712 comprises one ormore amplifiers (or other gain elements) that are used to control andadjust the gain of the repeated downlink radio frequency signalsradiated from the one or more antennas 715. The downlink repeatercircuitry 712 includes at least one transmitter front end (TX FE) 719which, for example, power amplifies the repeated downlink radiofrequency signals.

Also, the single-node repeater 700 comprises uplink repeater circuitry720 that is configured to receive one or more uplink radio frequencysignals transmitted from the user equipment 714. These signals areanalog radio frequency signals and are also referred to here as “UEuplink radio frequency signals.” Each UE uplink radio frequency signalincludes one or more radio frequency channels used for communicating inthe uplink direction with user equipment 714 over the relevant wirelessair interface.

The uplink repeater circuitry 720 in the single-node repeater 700 isalso configured to generate one or more uplink radio frequency signalsthat are provided to the one or more base stations 703. These signalsare also referred to here as “repeated uplink signals.” Each repeateduplink signal includes one or more of the uplink radio frequencychannels used for communicating with user equipment 714 over thewireless air interface. In this exemplary embodiment, the single-noderepeater 700 is an active repeater system in which the uplink repeatercircuitry 720 comprises one or more amplifiers (or other gain elements)that are used to control and adjust the gain of the repeated uplinkradio frequency signals provided to the one or more base stations 703.Typically, each repeated uplink signal is provided to the one or morebase stations 703 as an analog radio frequency signal. The uplinkrepeater circuitry 720 includes at least one receiver front end (RX FE)722 which, e.g., amplifies received uplink radio frequency signals.

The downlink repeater circuitry 712 and uplink repeater circuitry 720can comprise one or more appropriate connectors, attenuators, combiners,splitters, amplifiers, filters, duplexers, analog-to-digital converters,digital-to-analog converters, electrical-to-optical converters,optical-to-electrical converters, mixers, field-programmable gate arrays(FPGAs), microprocessors, transceivers, framers, etc., to implement thefeatures described above. Also, the downlink repeater circuitry 712 anduplink repeater circuitry 720 may share common circuitry and/orcomponents.

The at least one transmitter front end 719 includes at least one of thetransmitter front ends 104, 304, 404 described above. The at least onereceiver front end 722 includes at least one, e.g. two, of thecorresponding receiver front ends 106A, 106B, 306A, 306B, 406A, 406Bdescribed above. Further a combination of two or more duplexers can beused to couple the at least one transmitter front end 719 and the atleast one receiver front end 722 to one or more antennas 715. Thesingle-node repeater system 700 also comprises a controller (CNTRL) 721.The controller 721 is implemented using one or more programmableprocessors that execute software that is configured to implement thevarious control functions. The controller 721 (more specifically, thevarious control functions implemented by the controller 721) (orportions thereof) can be implemented in other ways (for example, in afield programmable gate array (FPGA), application specific integratedcircuit (ASIC), etc.). The DPD system 104A, 304A, 404A and/or controllogic may be incorporated, e.g. in the controller 721 of the single-noderepeater system 700.

Example Embodiments

Example 1 includes a system, comprising: a digital pre-distortion (DPD)system having an input configured to receive signals corresponding to atleast two transmit bands, and an output; a digital to analog converterhaving an input coupled to the output of the DPD system, and an output;a first multiplexer comprising a first port, a second port, and a thirdport, where the first port is coupled to the output of the digital toanalog converter; a first power amplifier having an input coupled to thesecond port of the first multiplexer, an output, and is configured topower amplify signals in a first transmit band; a second power amplifierhaving an input coupled to the third port of the first multiplexer, anoutput, and is configured to power amplify signals in a second transmitband; a first coupler having a first port, a second port and a thirdport, where the first port is coupled to the output of the first poweramplifier; a second coupler having a first port, a second port and athird port, where the first port is coupled to the output of the secondpower amplifier; a first analog to digital converter having an inputcoupled to the second port of the first coupler, and an output coupledto the DPD system; and a second analog to digital converter having aninput coupled to the second port of the second coupler, and an outputcoupled to the DPD system.

Example 2 includes the system of Example 1, wherein if the signals aredigital baseband data, then the digital to analog converter comprises anup converter, and each of the first and second analog to digitalconverters comprise a down converter.

Example 3 includes the system of any of Examples 1-2, furthercomprising: a first receiver front end system having an input and anoutput; and a second receiver front end system having an input and anoutput.

Example 4 includes the system of Example 3, further comprising: a secondmultiplexer having a first port, a second port, and a third port, wherethe first port is coupled to the third port of the first coupler and thesecond port is coupled to the third of the second coupler; a thirdmultiplexer having a first port, a second port, and a third port, wherethe first port is coupled to an input of the first receiver front endsystem and the second port is coupled to an input of the second receiverfront end system; a fourth multiplexer having a first port, a secondport, and a third port, where the first port is coupled to the thirdport of the second multiplexer and the second port is coupled to thethird port of the third multiplexer; and an antenna coupled to the thirdport of the fourth multiplexer.

Example 5 includes the system of any of Examples 1-4, wherein the DPDsystem is configured to skew a center frequency of a bandwidth in whichpre-distortion is performed and corresponding to one of the at least twotransmit bands so that a pre-distortion bandwidth covers correspondinguplink and downlink bands.

Example 6 includes the system of Example 5, wherein the center frequencyis equidistant from the center frequencies corresponding to the downlinkband, and its corresponding uplink band.

Example 7 includes a system, comprising: a digital pre-distortion (DPD)system having an input configured to receive signals corresponding to atleast two transmit bands, and an output; a digital to analog converterhaving an input coupled to the output of the DPD system, and an output;a first multiplexer comprising a first port, a second port, and a thirdport, where the first port is coupled to the output of the digital toanalog converter; a first power amplifier having an input coupled to thesecond port of the multiplexer, an output, and is configured to poweramplify signals in a first transmit band; a second power amplifierhaving an input coupled to the third port of the multiplexer, an output,and is configured to power amplify signals in a second transmit band; afirst coupler having a first port, a second port and a third port, wherethe first port is coupled to the output of the first power amplifier; asecond coupler having a first port, a second port and a third port,where the first port is coupled to the output of the second poweramplifier; a switch having a first input port coupled to the second portof the first coupler, a second input port coupled to the second port ofthe second coupler, a common port, and at least one control portconfigured to select an input port of the switch; and an analog todigital converter having an input coupled to the common port of theswitch, and an output coupled to the DPD system.

Example 8 includes the system of Example 7, wherein if the signals aredigital baseband data, then the digital to analog converter comprises anup converter, and the analog to digital converter comprises a downconverter.

Example 9 includes the system of any of Examples 7-8, furthercomprising: a first receiver front end system having an input and anoutput; and a second receiver front end system having an input and anoutput.

Example 10 includes the system of Example 9, further comprising: asecond multiplexer having a first port, a second port, and a third port,where the first port is coupled to the third port of the first couplerand the second port is coupled to the third of the second coupler; athird multiplexer having a first port, a second port, and a third port,where the first port is coupled to an input of the first receiver frontend system and the second port is coupled to an input of the secondreceiver front end system; a fourth multiplexer having a first port, asecond port, and a third port, where the first port is coupled to thethird port of the second multiplexer and the second port is coupled tothe third port of the third multiplexer; and an antenna coupled to thethird port of the fourth multiplexer.

Example 11 includes the system of any of Examples 7-10, wherein theswitch has a third port; and the system further comprises: a firstreceiver front end system having an input and an output, where theoutput is coupled to the third port of the switch; and a second receiverfront end system having an input and an output.

Example 12 includes the system of Example 11, further comprising amultiplexer having an input, a first output, a second output, and atleast one control input, where the input is coupled to the output of theanalog to digital converter, the first output is coupled to the DPDsystem.

Example 13 includes the system of any of Examples 11-12, comprising: asecond multiplexer having a first port, a second port, and a third port,where the first port is coupled to the third port of the first couplerand an input of a second receiver front end system; a combiner systemhaving a first port, a second port, and a third port, where the firstport is coupled to an input of the first receiver front end system andthe second port is coupled to the third of the second coupler; a thirdmultiplexer having a first port, a second port, and a third port, wherethe first port is coupled to the third port of the second multiplexerand the second port is coupled to the third port of the combiner system;and an antenna coupled to the third port of the fourth multiplexer.

Example 14 includes the system of Example 13, wherein the combinersystem comprises: a circulator; and a bandpass filter coupled to thecirculator.

Example 15 includes the system of any of Examples 7-14, wherein the DPDsystem is configured to skew a center frequency of a bandwidth in whichpre-distortion is performed and corresponding to one of the at least twotransmit bands so that a pre-distortion bandwidth covers correspondinguplink and downlink bands.

Example 16 includes the system of any of Examples 7-15, wherein thecenter frequency is equidistant from the center frequenciescorresponding to the downlink band, and its corresponding uplink band.

Example 17 includes a method, comprising: power amplifying, with atleast two parallel power amplifiers, at least two pre-distorted signalseach corresponding to a unique transmit band, wherein each poweramplifier operates in a unique transmit band; and pre-distorting, with asingle pre-distortion system, at least two signals in different transmitbands, where the pre-distortion of each of the at least two signals isbased upon a portion of a corresponding power amplified, pre-distortedsignal, and where the pre-distortion diminishes certain IMD products inthe corresponding power amplified, pre-distorted signal.

Example 18 includes the method of any of Examples 15-17, wherein if theat least two signals are digital baseband data, then up converting thepre-distorted signals prior to power amplification, and down convertingthe portions of the power amplified, pre-distorted signals prior toutilizing the portions of the power amplified, pre-distorted signals forpre-distortion.

Example 19 includes the method of any of Examples15-18, wherein if thepre-distorted signals, prior to power amplification, are digitalsignals, then converting the digital signals to analog signals prior topower amplification, and digitizing the portions of each of the poweramplified, pre-distorted signals prior to utilizing them forpre-distortion.

Example 20 includes the method of any of Examples 17-19, whereindigitizing the portions comprises selectively digitizing, with a singleanalog to digital converter, the portions of each of the poweramplified, pre-distorted signals prior to utilizing them forpre-distortion.

Example 21 includes the method of any of Examples 18-20, whereinselectively digitizing, with the single analog to digital converter,further comprises, where a unique transmit band is used for timedivision duplexing, selectively digitizing, with the single ADC, areceived signal during a time period for reception.

Example 22 includes the method of any of Examples 17-21, furthercomprising skewing a center frequency of a bandwidth in whichpre-distortion is performed and which corresponds to one transmit bandso that the pre-distortion bandwidth covers corresponding uplink anddownlink bands.

A number of embodiments of the invention defined by the following claimshave been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that variousmodifications to the described embodiments may be made without departingfrom the spirit and scope of the claimed invention. Accordingly, otherembodiments are within the scope of the following claims. For example, asignal may be a voltage signal or a current signal.

1. A system, comprising: a digital pre-distortion (DPD) system having aninput configured to receive signals corresponding to at least twotransmit bands, and an output; a digital to analog converter having aninput coupled to the output of the DPD system, and an output; a firstmultiplexer comprising a first port, a second port, and a third port,where the first port is coupled to the output of the digital to analogconverter; a first power amplifier having an input coupled to the secondport of the first multiplexer, an output, and is configured to poweramplify signals in a first transmit band; a second power amplifierhaving an input coupled to the third port of the first multiplexer, anoutput, and is configured to power amplify signals in a second transmitband; a first coupler having a first port, a second port and a thirdport, where the first port is coupled to the output of the first poweramplifier; a second coupler having a first port, a second port and athird port, where the first port is coupled to the output of the secondpower amplifier; a first analog to digital converter having an inputcoupled to the second port of the first coupler, and an output coupledto the DPD system; and a second analog to digital converter having aninput coupled to the second port of the second coupler, and an outputcoupled to the DPD system.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein if thesignals are digital baseband data, then the digital to analog convertercomprises an up converter, and each of the first and second analog todigital converters comprise a down converter.
 3. The system of claim 1,further comprising: a first receiver front end system having an inputand an output; and a second receiver front end system having an inputand an output.
 4. The system of claim 3, further comprising: a secondmultiplexer having a first port, a second port, and a third port, wherethe first port is coupled to the third port of the first coupler and thesecond port is coupled to the third of the second coupler; a thirdmultiplexer having a first port, a second port, and a third port, wherethe first port is coupled to an input of the first receiver front endsystem and the second port is coupled to an input of the second receiverfront end system; a fourth multiplexer having a first port, a secondport, and a third port, where the first port is coupled to the thirdport of the second multiplexer and the second port is coupled to thethird port of the third multiplexer; and an antenna coupled to the thirdport of the fourth multiplexer.
 5. The system of claim 1, wherein theDPD system is configured to skew a center frequency of a bandwidth inwhich pre-distortion is performed and corresponding to one of the atleast two transmit bands so that a pre-distortion bandwidth coverscorresponding uplink and downlink bands.
 6. The system of claim 5,wherein the center frequency is equidistant from the center frequenciescorresponding to the downlink band, and its corresponding uplink band.7. A system, comprising: a digital pre-distortion (DPD) system having aninput configured to receive signals corresponding to at least twotransmit bands, and an output; a digital to analog converter having aninput coupled to the output of the DPD system, and an output; a firstmultiplexer comprising a first port, a second port, and a third port,where the first port is coupled to the output of the digital to analogconverter; a first power amplifier having an input coupled to the secondport of the multiplexer, an output, and is configured to power amplifysignals in a first transmit band; a second power amplifier having aninput coupled to the third port of the multiplexer, an output, and isconfigured to power amplify signals in a second transmit band; a firstcoupler having a first port, a second port and a third port, where thefirst port is coupled to the output of the first power amplifier; asecond coupler having a first port, a second port and a third port,where the first port is coupled to the output of the second poweramplifier; a switch having a first input port coupled to the second portof the first coupler, a second input port coupled to the second port ofthe second coupler, a common port, and at least one control portconfigured to select an input port of the switch; and an analog todigital converter having an input coupled to the common port of theswitch, and an output coupled to the DPD system.
 8. The system of claim7, wherein if the signals are digital baseband data, then the digital toanalog converter comprises an up converter, and the analog to digitalconverter comprises a down converter.
 9. The system of claim 7, furthercomprising: a first receiver front end system having an input and anoutput; and a second receiver front end system having an input and anoutput.
 10. The system of claim 9, further comprising: a secondmultiplexer having a first port, a second port, and a third port, wherethe first port is coupled to the third port of the first coupler and thesecond port is coupled to the third of the second coupler; a thirdmultiplexer having a first port, a second port, and a third port, wherethe first port is coupled to an input of the first receiver front endsystem and the second port is coupled to an input of the second receiverfront end system; a fourth multiplexer having a first port, a secondport, and a third port, where the first port is coupled to the thirdport of the second multiplexer and the second port is coupled to thethird port of the third multiplexer; and an antenna coupled to the thirdport of the fourth multiplexer.
 11. The system of claim 7, wherein theswitch has a third port; and the system further comprises: a firstreceiver front end system having an input and an output, where theoutput is coupled to the third port of the switch; and a second receiverfront end system having an input and an output.
 12. The system of claim11, further comprising a multiplexer having an input, a first output, asecond output, and at least one control input, where the input iscoupled to the output of the analog to digital converter, the firstoutput is coupled to the DPD system.
 13. The system of claim 11,comprising: a second multiplexer having a first port, a second port, anda third port, where the first port is coupled to the third port of thefirst coupler and an input of a second receiver front end system; acombiner system having a first port, a second port, and a third port,where the first port is coupled to an input of the first receiver frontend system and the second port is coupled to the third of the secondcoupler; a third multiplexer having a first port, a second port, and athird port, where the first port is coupled to the third port of thesecond multiplexer and the second port is coupled to the third port ofthe combiner system; and an antenna coupled to the third port of thefourth multiplexer.
 14. The system of claim 13, wherein the combinersystem comprises: a circulator; and a bandpass filter coupled to thecirculator.
 15. The system of claim 7, wherein the DPD system isconfigured to skew a center frequency of a bandwidth in whichpre-distortion is performed and corresponding to one of the at least twotransmit bands so that a pre-distortion bandwidth covers correspondinguplink and downlink bands.
 16. The system of claim 7, wherein the centerfrequency is equidistant from the center frequencies corresponding tothe downlink band, and its corresponding uplink band.
 17. A method,comprising: power amplifying, with at least two parallel poweramplifiers, at least two pre-distorted signals each corresponding to aunique transmit band, wherein each power amplifier operates in a uniquetransmit band; and pre-distorting, with a single pre-distortion system,at least two signals in different transmit bands, where thepre-distortion of each of the at least two signals is based upon aportion of a corresponding power amplified, pre-distorted signal, andwhere the pre-distortion diminishes certain IMD products in thecorresponding power amplified, pre-distorted signal.
 18. The method ofclaim 17, wherein if the at least two signals are digital baseband data,then up converting the pre-distorted signals prior to poweramplification, and down converting the portions of the power amplified,pre-distorted signals prior to utilizing the portions of the poweramplified, pre-distorted signals for pre-distortion.
 19. The method ofclaim 17, wherein if the pre-distorted signals, prior to poweramplification, are digital signals, then converting the digital signalsto analog signals prior to power amplification, and digitizing theportions of each of the power amplified, pre-distorted signals prior toutilizing them for pre-distortion.
 20. The method of claim 17, whereindigitizing the portions comprises selectively digitizing, with a singleanalog to digital converter, the portions of each of the poweramplified, pre-distorted signals prior to utilizing them forpre-distortion.
 21. The method of claim 18, wherein selectivelydigitizing, with the single analog to digital converter, furthercomprises, where a unique transmit band is used for time divisionduplexing, selectively digitizing, with the single ADC, a receivedsignal during a time period for reception.
 22. The method of claim 17,further comprising skewing a center frequency of a bandwidth in whichpre-distortion is performed and which corresponds to one transmit bandso that the pre-distortion bandwidth covers corresponding uplink anddownlink bands.